T2.1.1 Improving technique and performance in competitive sports Quiz: KS3 Physical Education, Unit 2

The 20 questions

1. In sprinting, what is the purpose of driving the arms strongly?

   • To hold the upper body still so that the runner stays perfectly upright
   • To pull the body backwards so that the feet land further behind the hips
   • To keep the hands level with the waist so that the shoulders stay relaxed
   • To help drive the legs forward and keep a steady running rhythm

2. In a long jump, when is an athlete's attempt counted as a foul?

   • When the athlete takes more than three steps during the run-up to the board
   • When the athlete lands with both feet close together in the sand pit
   • When the athlete lands on the sand and then moves the hands backwards
   • When the foot passes beyond the take-off board before leaving the ground

3. What is the Fosbury Flop used for in the high jump?

   • Running in a straight line at the bar and jumping off the front leg only
   • Clearing the bar by swinging both arms upwards to lift the whole body
   • Going over the bar back first, arching the back
   • Crossing the bar sideways while keeping the knees bent and the hands low

4. In the javelin, what release angle is close to the best for maximum distance?

   • About 60 degrees above the horizontal, so the javelin climbs steeply upwards
   • About 5 degrees above the horizontal, so the javelin stays low and fast
   • About 35 degrees above the horizontal
   • Close to 90 degrees, so the javelin is thrown straight up into the air

5. When performing a forward roll in gymnastics, what helps keep the body in a tight, rounded shape?

   • Tucking the chin and keeping the body curled tightly
   • Keeping the legs fully straight and spread wide apart during the whole roll
   • Holding the arms straight out to the sides to balance the body on the mat
   • Lifting the head up high so the eyes can see the mat in front of the body

6. Why do sprinters lean forwards during the start of a race?

   • A low body angle keeps the eyes looking at the ground so they do not see the crowd
   • A low body angle pushes force forwards and helps build speed off the blocks
   • A low body angle makes the race shorter because the runner covers less ground
   • A low body angle makes it easier to stop quickly once the race has finished

7. In shot put, how should the athlete drive the shot?

   • Pushing the shot off the fingers with a strong, straight arm drive from the body
   • Rolling the shot along the ground with the palm until it reaches the front
   • Holding the shot against the chest and running forwards with it to the line
   • Throwing the shot like a ball, flicking it from the wrist as the arm swings round

8. A gymnast lands from a vault with feet apart and arms flailing, and is unsteady. Which change would most improve the landing?

   • Landing with feet together and knees bent, with the arms held out for balance
   • Landing with the knees locked straight and the feet pointing in different directions
   • Landing on the hands first and then rolling forwards onto the back to finish
   • Landing with the body leaning far back and the head tilted towards the ceiling

9. What is the main benefit of feedback in improving technique?

   • It replaces the need for practice because the coach performs the skill instead
   • It tells the performer the final score of the competition straight after the event
   • It lets the performer skip warm up and go straight into the main competitive race
   • It shows which parts of a movement to repeat or correct

10. A hurdler knocks the hurdles with the trail leg. Which technique point would most help fix this?

    • Keeping the trail leg low and close to the body as it clears the hurdle
    • Keeping the trail leg fully straight and kicking it out to the side at speed
    • Lifting the head high and looking at the crowd while crossing each hurdle
    • Taking off from two feet together so both legs leave the ground at once

11. Why does a middle distance runner need a sensible pace at the start of a race?

    • Starting too fast can cause early fatigue and reduce speed later in the race
    • Starting fast means the race is automatically void and must be run again
    • Starting slowly means the runner is not allowed to overtake any other runner later
    • Starting slowly means the runner must finish the race in a shorter time overall

12. An athlete wants to measure improvement in the 100 metres sprint. Which measure is most useful?

    • A lower time over several attempts in similar conditions
    • The colour of the running vest worn by the athlete during the race itself
    • The number of steps the athlete took in the warm up before the start
    • The number of spectators who watched the race from the stands and the sides

13. In the triple jump, why does good technique matter for distance?

    • It allows the athlete to stop running early so the take-off board is never reached
    • It allows the athlete to land on the head so the jump is measured from the top
    • It means the athlete can use both arms to lift the body off the ground at once
    • It keeps speed through hop, step and jump

14. A gymnast wants to improve the quality of a routine. Which approach is most effective?

    • Performing the whole routine as fast as possible without any checks on the technique
    • Waiting until the competition day to try the routine for the first time at all
    • Filming attempts, comparing with a model, correcting one element
    • Repeating the routine many times without any feedback or any changes at all

15. A sprinter's time is slowing in the last 20 metres of a 100 metres race. Which fault is most likely?

    • Driving the knees too high at the start of the race from the blocks
    • Taking too long to get into the blocks before the starting gun sounds
    • Running with the arms too straight and the hands held above the head
    • Tension in the face and shoulders

16. Which action best helps a performer improve their technique in a competitive sport?

    • Practising only the parts of the skill the performer already does well
    • Structured practice with feedback and clear goals
    • Practising the skill in a rush with no warm up and no cool down afterwards
    • Practising the skill once a month and then waiting for the next competition

17. In an athletics throw, what is a common cause of losing distance?

    • Keeping the body balanced and facing the throwing direction during the throw
    • Stepping over the throwing line, which fouls the throw
    • Holding the implement with a firm grip and releasing it at the right moment
    • Using the arm to throw the implement too fast so it lands in the right place

18. A competitor wants to show that their technique is becoming more consistent. What is the best evidence?

    • Similar, measurable results across several competitions
    • A change of coach without any change in the results or the record of training
    • A new piece of expensive equipment that makes the performer feel more confident
    • A single very good result in one competition that was never repeated afterwards

19. In a sprint start, what does the sprinter do with the feet in the blocks?

    • Places both feet on the same block so the start is balanced and very slow
    • Turns the feet sideways so the body can face the crowd before the race begins
    • Pushes forcefully against the blocks to drive the body out of the start position
    • Keeps the feet flat and still until the athlete has fully stood up from the blocks

20. In gymnastics, what does a good balance require from the body?

    • A quick jump before the balance so that the body is lifted and can hold the position
    • A wide spread of the arms and legs so that the body is as far from the floor as possible
    • A stable base with the body weight over the supporting part and the core held firm
    • A fast movement of the head from side to side to find the centre of the balance

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